Vanessa Lawrence
- Work
- Biography
My practice has gone from predominantly painting for many years to focusing on my love for construction and the 3-dimensional form. The physical process of building up a form and holding it in your hands as it comes to life is what really draws me to sculpture. Wire and pliers are my tools for creating my sculptures which are based on the human figure as well as wildlife. The dialogue that can be created when working with the figure really excites me and is something I wish to continually play around with in my work.
These sculptures have been commissioned both privately as well as for large scale public art commissions. Although sculptures are the starting point, two-dimensional work is still very much a part of my process. Once completed, playing with light and shadow, these sculptures go on to influence drawings and paintings on to a variety of surfaces. A continuous curiosity for experimenting, the play element is a huge part of the way I work, with the process being just as exciting as the final piece. One work can evolve into a whole series of works, which as the maker, keeps the whole practice exciting and open ended.
These sculptures have been commissioned both privately as well as for large scale public art commissions. Although sculptures are the starting point, two-dimensional work is still very much a part of my process. Once completed, playing with light and shadow, these sculptures go on to influence drawings and paintings on to a variety of surfaces. A continuous curiosity for experimenting, the play element is a huge part of the way I work, with the process being just as exciting as the final piece. One work can evolve into a whole series of works, which as the maker, keeps the whole practice exciting and open ended.
EDUCATION
1998-2001 Certificate of drawing, Painting and Sculpture, New York Studio School, New York
2000-2001 Exchange Student, Ecole des Beaux Arts de Marseille
1993-1994 Certificate for drawing and Painting, Lorenzo D'Medice School of Art, Florence
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
- Royal Scottish Academy 130 years Annual Exhibition 30x30 small works, Edinburgh
- Memories and Dreams, Electric Brae Gallery, South Ayrshire
- Creative Resilience, Yardlife Gallery, SWG3, Glasgow
- Story of an Artist, The Barony Centre, Crafttown Scotland
- Big Art Show, Outspoken Arts, Art Department, Paisley
- Carrick Artists, The Smiddy Gallery, Culzean
2021
- Alternative Giving, The Barony Centre, Crafttown Scotland
- 'For Cop's Sake', Skate Art Show, raising funds and awareness of climate change throughout COP26
2020
- In To The Light, Maclaurin Art Gallery
132nd Annual Online Exhibition, paisley Art Institute
2019
- Connections, New York Studio School Alumni Europe, Gerald Moore Gallery, London
- 131st Annual Exhibition, Paisley Art Institute, Paisley
- Group Show, Doyle Arts, Glasgow
- Alumni Invitational, New York Studio School, New York
- Yardworks, SWG3, Glasgow
- re:decorate, Jam in a Jar, London
PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS
2022
Raise the Roof, Perth – Part of Scotland’s Year of Stories,
celebrating the stories of incredible woman from Perth and Kinross throughout time. Twenty life size wire sculptures of these women which created a sculpture trail around Perth City Centre.
2021
Fifty life size wire human figure sculptures used for social
distancing purposes within the new James McCune Smith Learning Hub, University of Glasgow.
AWARDS
2018
Creative Scotland Visual Artist and Craft Maker Award (VACMA)
More information and work can be seen on my website www.vanessalawrence.co.uk
1998-2001 Certificate of drawing, Painting and Sculpture, New York Studio School, New York
2000-2001 Exchange Student, Ecole des Beaux Arts de Marseille
1993-1994 Certificate for drawing and Painting, Lorenzo D'Medice School of Art, Florence
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2022
- Royal Scottish Academy 130 years Annual Exhibition 30x30 small works, Edinburgh
- Memories and Dreams, Electric Brae Gallery, South Ayrshire
- Creative Resilience, Yardlife Gallery, SWG3, Glasgow
- Story of an Artist, The Barony Centre, Crafttown Scotland
- Big Art Show, Outspoken Arts, Art Department, Paisley
- Carrick Artists, The Smiddy Gallery, Culzean
2021
- Alternative Giving, The Barony Centre, Crafttown Scotland
- 'For Cop's Sake', Skate Art Show, raising funds and awareness of climate change throughout COP26
2020
- In To The Light, Maclaurin Art Gallery
132nd Annual Online Exhibition, paisley Art Institute
2019
- Connections, New York Studio School Alumni Europe, Gerald Moore Gallery, London
- 131st Annual Exhibition, Paisley Art Institute, Paisley
- Group Show, Doyle Arts, Glasgow
- Alumni Invitational, New York Studio School, New York
- Yardworks, SWG3, Glasgow
- re:decorate, Jam in a Jar, London
PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS
2022
Raise the Roof, Perth – Part of Scotland’s Year of Stories,
celebrating the stories of incredible woman from Perth and Kinross throughout time. Twenty life size wire sculptures of these women which created a sculpture trail around Perth City Centre.
2021
Fifty life size wire human figure sculptures used for social
distancing purposes within the new James McCune Smith Learning Hub, University of Glasgow.
AWARDS
2018
Creative Scotland Visual Artist and Craft Maker Award (VACMA)
More information and work can be seen on my website www.vanessalawrence.co.uk
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Gabion Inspired Commission (wire & Scottish pebbles)
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Seated Figure (Wire)
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Together
- Watercolour
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Heron (wire)
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Dusk (wire set in resin and plaster)
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Early Riser (wire set in resin and plaster)
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Selection of the Wire Women for Raise the Roof, Perth
- Vanessa Lawrence
- Intuition I
- Pen and Ink
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